The summer came early for the Memphis Grizzlies this year. The 2024-25 campaign ended in a disappointing fashion for the Memphis outfit, as the Oklahoma City Thunder swept them aside in the first playoff round. This makes it the fifth time in the past six seasons that the Grizzlies have failed to progress further than the first playoff round. That is a sorry look for a franchise aiming for the championship. However, there are some encouraging signs that the future can be bright for the Grizzlies.
Although the side from Tennessee had a largely disappointing season, their young guns stepped up big time. And one of them was Scottie Pippen Jr. Having gone undrafted in 2022, Pippen Jr played in the G-League to work his way up and eventually signed a contract with the Grizzlies till 2027. Pippen Jr, son of the Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, took his game to the next level this season, especially in the playoffs, where he averaged 29 points and 8 rebounds. But his best performance of the season came against the Wizards when he scored a triple-double. This made Scottie Pippen and Scottie Pippen Jr the first father-son duo to score a triple-double in NBA history. And now, in the off-season, Pippen Jr has decided to dedicate his time to a good cause.
While most players use the off-season to recharge their batteries, spend time with their families, go on vacations, etc. Scottie Pippen Jr has announced via Instagram that he will be organizing summer camps for boys aged between 6-14 years. These camps will be held in Nashville, TN, on 4- 5th August and in Memphis, TN, on 7- 8th August. “Nashville 8/4-5… Memphis 8/7-8… limited spots available! Let’s Make it Meant to be!” Pippin Jr wrote on the Instagram post. This is a great initiative to get young kids into basketball, and who knows, a future superstar might come from these camps!
Scottie Pippen Jr is having a great year on the personal as well as the professional front. Something that cannot be said about his team, the Memphis Grizzlies. But things might be about to change for the Tennessee side.
Summer of change for the Grizzlies
In a season that promised so much, but yielded so little, the Grizzlies need to right a lot of wrongs if they want to seriously contend for the championship. The talent is clearly there. The roster is brimming with bright young things like Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey, both part of the NBA All-Rookie team, and is led by the electric Ja Morant. But is this enough?
Well, the answer so far is a big NO. And the Grizzlies seem to finally get it. If reports are true, the Memphis-based outfit is gonna make a huge splash in this off-season. And who are they targeting? None other than Giannis Antetokounmpo. Yep, read that again if you want. According to Dave Favale of B/R, the Grizzlies are ready to make a surprise push for the Bucks’ superstar. The finances might need to be worked upon for such a huge deal, but if it did go ahead, it would send shockwaves throughout the league.
NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Philadelphia 76ers at Milwaukee Bucks Apr 2, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts in the third quarter during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee Fiserv Forum, Wisconsin, USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBennyxSieux 20230402_anw_bs5_00299
The Grizzlies aren’t done yet. They are getting really ambitious. If Greg Swartz, also of B/R, is to be believed, the Grizzlies also aspire to bring in Jaylen Brown to the FedExForum. The chances of this deal happening are even less, as there is no reported desire of Brown to leave the Celtics. He is more of a ‘dream’ target. And seems like it will stay that way.
The Giannis deal seems to have more buzz around it, though. And if Memphis manages to pair him with Ja Morant and the existing young core of talent – which includes Scottie Pippen Jr, Cam Spencer, GG Jackson II along with Wells and Edey – they could make a serious run at the championship next season. Let’s see how the story unfolds. What are your thoughts on this? Will this be a good trade for Memphis? Will getting Giannis take them to that next level? Do share your thoughts in the comments to let us know.
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